Steam-generator.



No. 820,013.- PATENTED MAY 8, 1906. H. E. RIDER.

STEAM GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED JULYU. 1900.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l,

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E. E. EIDER. STEAM GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED JULY17. 1900.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

A 77'0HNEY STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HERBERT E. RIDER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO GEORGE A. WVALION, OFNEW YORK, N. Y.

l STEAM-GENERATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

ratented May 8, 1906.

Application filed July 17, 1900. Serial No.. 23,885.

To all whom/ it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HERBERT E. RIDER, a citizen ofthe United States, anda resident of the borough of Manhattan, in the county of New York, cityof New York, and State of New York, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Steam-Generators, of which the following is aspecification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, formingpart hereof.

My invention relates to improvements in steam-generators; and itconsists in the provision of new and improved constructions wherebysteam may be quickly and practically instantaneously generated and maybe delivered for use in a dry condition.

According to myk invention the boiler is provided with generating-tubeswherein the water is flashed into steam at the point of greatest heatand whereby the steam-flashing point is directly connected to thesteamspace of the boiler and my invention includes various improvementsin the arrangement and construction of the boiler and tubes, and alsoincludes the provision of superheatingcoils wherein the steam conductedfrom the steam-space is brought to the point of greatest heat in thecombustion-chamber and is superheated, and also includes means forcarrying off the :steam so generated and superheated.

My invention further consists in certain novel details of constructionand combination of parts by which a steam-generator is provided whichhas a maximum capacity with a minimum weight and bulk.

By reason of the foregoing my improved steam-generator is particularlyapplicable to automobile road-carriages 3 and one of the objects of myinvention is the reduction of Weight and bulk in a steam-generator forthe purpose of applying the same for such use.

Another obj ect of my invention is the rapid .generation and delivery ofdry steam.

I will now proceed to describe a steam-generator embodying my invention,referring to the accompanying drawings, forming part hereof, and willthen point out the novel features in claims.

Figure l represents a central vertical section of a steam-generatorembodying my invention, the plane of section being taken upon the line ll of Fig. 2.- Fig. 2 represents a horizontal transverse section of thesame,

- the plane of section being taken upon the line 2 2 of Fig. 1 in adirection looking upwardly. Figs. 3 and 4 are detail views illustratinganumber of certain generator-tubes employed and a plug in which they arefitted. Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate detail views of a modified form of plugwith a single generator-tube iitted therein.

In carrying out my invention I employ an outer casing a, having asuitable head b and a'n uptake or flue connection c. The greater portionof the upper half of the interior of the casing a is occupied by aboiler or shell d, which is suitably supported therein. The shell d isof a slightly smaller diameter than the casing a, so that an annularspace is provided between the shell and the casing, through which theproducts of combustion from the combustion-chamber of the furnace areadapted to pass. The uptake or flue connection c opens into the extremeupper end of the interior of the casing above the head of the shell, andthe space between the shell and the sides of the casing communicatesover the top of the shell with the said uptake or ue connection.

The lower portion of the interior of the casing forms acombustion-chamber, and within the said combustion-chamber a gas orvapor burner e is provided. An inlet gas or vapor pipe f is provided forthe purpose of supplying gas or vapor to the said burner e, and anorifice g is arranged in the said burner, through which atmospheric airmay be drawn for the purpose of miX'ing with thegas or vapor. Anysuitable burner or burners may of course be employed and any gas orvapor used for burning therein. Ihave illustrated therein a well-knownform of Bunsen burner, which is Well adapted for the purpose.

The shell d is provided at the top with a head 7L, which may be securedthereto by riveting, as is usual, and is closed at the bottom. by acrown-sheet i., which may be also riveted to the sides of the shell inthe usual manner. A number of U-shaped generator-tubes j are supportedin the said crown-sheet and have their looped portions projecting intothe combustion-chamber and their ends projecting into the interior ofthe shell. The two ends of each tube are of unequal length, the shorterend communicating with the interior of the shell at a point below theWater-line, preferably at a point in close proximity with -the bottom ofthe shell, and the longer end IOO communicating with the interior of theshell at a point above the water-line, and hence into a space whichforms the steam-space of the shell. As a result of this construction thegenerator-tubes have two points of communication with the boilersubjected to different pressures, the gravity of the water above theshorter end of the generator-tube being constantly exerted at theshorter end of the generator-tube. Also as aresult of this constructionthe steam escaping from the longer end of the generator-tube does nothave to pass through the water in the boiler, but passes from the tubedirectly into the steam-space. Under lthe conditions of use a constantand rapid circulation is maintained through the generator-tubes, andthis rapid circulation not only brings about a rapid generation ofsteam, but also protects the' tubes by preventing their overheatingbeyond the point necessary for evaporation.

' The generator-tubes are freely exposed on alt sides to the heatedgases from the point Where they leave the shell to the point where theyagain enter the shell, and in each generator-tube the water iowing downthe shorter leg approaches the point of maximum heat as it flows towardthe bottom or turning-point of the loop and is flashed into steam atsuch turning-point and has then a free communication with thesteam-space of the boiler through the longer leg of the tube. Thus theflashing-point is the point nearest to the heating-flame, (the point ofmaximum heat,) whereby a maximum generation of steam is effected, andyet the constant and rapid circulation prevents injury to the tube atsuch point of maximum heat.

The generator-tubes may be inserted into and carried by the crown-sheetof the shell in any suitable or desired manner; but according to myinvention these tubes are inserted into plugs secured in thecrown-sheet, and, as shown, these plugs 7c are screw-threaded and inFigs. 1, 2, 3, and 4 have am-nuts, whereby tight joints may be effected,and, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, these plugs have taperthreads forforming a tight connection.

In the main views illustrating my invention and in detail views, Figs. 3and 4, I have shown each plug lc as provided with a plurality ofgenerator-tubes j, and these generatortubes are arranged as closetogether as possible with their U-shaped portions overlapping, so as toprovide a large heating-surface. These generator-tubes may be otherwisearranged in the plugs and in some cases I may have only a singlegenerator-tube in each plug, as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. The tubesmay be of brass or-copper and brazed into the plugs or they may be ofiron or other material and may be secured in the plugs, as shown in themain views of the drawings, and particularly shown in Fig. 3, the tubesas irst inserted into the plugs having ends of equal length whichterminate near the top of the plug and which are ex anded to make tightcontact therewith in the usual manner, and one of the expaned ends beingthen tapped to provide it with an internal thread and a section of tubebeing screwed therein to provide the longer arm or end.

Each plu with its one or more generatortubes may e designated as agenerating unit, and the number of such units employed would bedetermined by the relation of the size and capacity of the generatingunit to the size and capacity of the boiler. In some instances a singlegenerating unit might be sufiicient.

By the construction above described provision is made for the renewal ofany group of generator-tubes in a plug by merely unscrewing the plug andinserting a new plug or for the removal in like manner of any plug forthe purpose of repairing its tubes. This construction also rovides atube-receiving surface of such thickness and strength that the tubes maybe arranged very closely together. The ame from the burner will playdirectly upon the looped portion of the generator-tubes, and in this wayan intense heat will be applied at such point. The small quantity ofwater which is contained within the tube will be almost instantlyconverted into steam, causing an exceedingly rapid generation of steam,which will be ready for use almost the instant the burner is lighted. Asfast as the water within the tubes is converted into steam the steam isdischarged into IOO the steam-space within the shell, and water fromwithin the shell will enter the shorter ends of the generator-tubes totake the place of that converted into steam and will itself be soconverted. Thus a constant circulation of uid entering in the form ofwater and leaving in the form of steam will be maintained in thegenerator-tubes. A feed-water pipe Z communicates with the interior ofthe shell near the lower end thereof and is connected to a suitablesource of water-supply, (not shown,) and a suitable `gage-cock q isprovided for indicating the water-line.

The steam which has been generated passes from the interior' of theshell through a plurality of pipes fm, which communicate with theinterior of the said shell through the head thereof. The pipes passdownwardly, preferably between the shell and the casing, and areconnected with superheating-coils n, which are arranged in the path ofthe heatingiiame. As shown, there are six pipes fm, and sixsuperheating-coils n, one for each pipe m, and each superheating-coil nsurrounds a group of generator-tubes The superheating-coils all connectwith a header 0 upon the steam-pipe p, along which pipe the steam isdelivered for use in its superheated and dried condition. Thisconstruction of superheating-coils and generator-tubes brings about aIlO concentration of the parts to .be heated, so that they may bearranged in close proximity to the heating flame or flames. Thecombustion and heating are concentrated in a small fire-chamber in whicha perfect combustion can be attained.

The arrangement of the generator-tubes j is such. that steam isgenerated in a dry condition in the first instance. Furthermore, thelikelihood of priming is largely reduced. The dry steam being passedthrough the superheating-coils is still further dried and .the tensionthereof increased, so that perfectlydry steam at a high pressure isdelivered through the steam-pipe p. It will be observed, however, thatshoulda superheated steam be not desired in any of the usesv to which mysteam-generator may beapplied the superheating-coils may be omitted ordiminished in number or capacity, or both, and so, also, the degree ofsuperheating may be varied to suit any requirements by increasing ordiminishing the number or capacity, or both, of the superheating-coils.

The foregoing arrangement and construction provides a steam-generator ofgreat simplicityand of small bulk and weight and at the same timeprovides for the instantaneous and economical generation of steam. Sucha generator would 'well fulfil all the requirements for such devices inautomobiles or might serve for a fire-engine boiler or could be.advantageously used in any place in which rapid and economicalgeneration ,of steam is required and the reduction of bulk and weight isa consideration.

".[t is .evident that various modifications in construction `may. bemade within the purview of my invention.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

, l. The combination, in a steam-generator, of an outer casing having acombustion-chamber formed therein, a boiler larranged within such'casingand above the combustion-chamber and constructed so as toiprovide vaflueopening between the outer periphery of the boiler and the wall ofthe casing, such flueopening being contiguous with the crown-1 sheetformed by the bottom of the boiler, the boiler having a plurality ofplugs arranged in the shell thereof, the plugs carrying a plurality ofgenerator-tubes having looped portions extending into thecombustion-chamber and exposed freely on all sides to the 'heated gasestherein from the pointswhere they leave the plugs to the points wherethey again enter the plugs, the tubes having'ends of unusual lengthwhich project through the plugs into the interior of the boiler, theirshorter ends terminating below the water-line and their onger endsterminating above the waterine.'

2. The combination, in a steam-generator, of an outer casing having acombustion-chamberformed therein, a boiler arranged within such casingand above the combustion-chamber and constructed so as to provide aflueopening between the outer periphery of the boiler and the'wall ofthe casing, such flueopening being contiguous with the crownsheet formedby the bottom of the boiler, a plurality of plugs arranged in suchcrownsheet, the said plugs carrying. U-shaped generator-tubes havingends of unequal length, the said generator-tubes arranged in the saidplugs so that their looped portions are below said plugs and are withinthe combustionchamber and that their end portions project through thesaid plugs into the interior of the boiler, their shorter endsterminating below the water-line and their longer ends terminating abovethe water-line.

3. A steam-generator comprising a combustion-chamber and a boiler, theboiler having a plurality of plugs arranged in the shell thereof, eachof said plugs carrying a plurality of generator-tubes having loopedportions extending into the combustion-chamber and having ends ofunequal length which project through the plugs into the interior of theboiler, their shorter ends terminating below the water-line, and theirlonger ends terminating above the water-line, substantially as setforth.

4. The combination in a steam-generator, of a combustion-chamber, ashell arranged above the said combustion-chamber, and a plurality ofplugs arranged in the crownsheet of the said shell, each of the saidplugs carrying a plurality of generator-tubes having ends of unequallength, the said generator-tubes arranged in the said plugs so thattheir looped portions are below the said plugs and are within thecombustion-chamber and their end portions project through the said plugsinto the interior of the shell, their shorter ends terminating below thewaterline, and their longer ends terminating above the water-line,substantially as set forth.

5. A generating unit for a steam-boiler comprising a plug adapted to besecured in the shell of the boiler and having one or moregenerator-tubes with a looped portion or portions at one side of theplug and ends of unequal length at the other side of said plug,

substantially as set forth.

6. A generating unit for a steam-boiler comprisinga plug adapted to besecured in the shell of the boiler and having one or vmoregenerator-tubes, the generator-tube or each generator-tube consisting ofone part having a looped portion at one side of the plug and endsexpanded into the plug at the other side of the plug, and another partfitted into one of said ends to provide an elongated end for such'generator-tube, substantially as set forth.

7. A generating unit for a steam-boiler comprising a plug adapted to besecured in IOO the shell of the boiler and having a plurality ofgenerator-tubes therein each generatortube having a U-shaped portionwith ends expanded into the plug and another portion fitted into one ofsaid ends to provide an elongated end for such generator-tube, and thegenerator-tubes being arranged closely together with their LJ-shapedportions overlapping, substantially as set forth.

8. The combination in a steam-generator, of a shell, acombustion-chamber below the said shell, a U-shaped generator-tubearranged with its looped portion within the said combustion-chamber,said generator-tube having ends of unequal length which project throughthe crown-sheet of said shell into the interior thereof and terminatethe one below the water-line therein and the other above the water-linetherein, a burner arranged within the combustion-chamber, and asuperheating-coil arranged in the path of the flame of the burner andconnecting upon one side with the steam-space within the' said shell,and upon the other side with a steamsupply pipe, substantially as setforth.

9. The combination in a steam-generator, of an outer casing the topportion of which communicates with an uptake and the lower portion ofwhich forms a combustion-chamber, a shell arranged within the upperportion of said casing, vthe crown-sheet of said shell being providedwith a plurality of U- shaped generator-tubes having ends of unequallength Whose looped portions project into the combustion-chamber andwhose ends project within the said shell, the shorter ends thereofterminating below the water-line and the longer ends terminating abovethe waterline, a burner arranged Within the combustion-chamber, aplurality of superheatingcoils arranged in the path of the flame of thesaid burner, the said superheating-coils con- -nected upon one side withthe steam-space Within the shell and upon the other side with asteam-supply pipe, substantially as set forth.

10. The combination in a steam-generator, of a combustion-chamber, ashell arranged above the combustion-chamber, a plurality of plugsarranged in the crown-sheet of the shell, each of the plugs having aplurality of generator-tubes therein, each of said generator-tubeshaving a looped portion extending into the combustion-chamber, aplurality of superheating-coils each arranged about a group ofgenerator-tubes on a plug, each of said superheating-coils beingconnected to the steam-space in the shell, and a main steam-supply pipewith which all of said superheating-coils are connected at theirdischarge ends, substantially as set forth.

11. The combination in a steam-generator of a combustion-chamber, ashell arranged above the combustion-chamber, a plurality of plugsarranged in the crown-sheet of the shell, each of the plugs having aplurality' of generator-tubes therein, each of saidgenerator-tubeshaving a'looped portion extending into thecombustion-chamber, and the enerator-tubes on each plug being arranged cosely together with their looped portions overlapping, a plurality ofsuperheating-coils each arranged about a group of generator-tubes on aplug, each of said superheating-coils being connected to the steam-spacein the shell, and a main steam-supply pipe with which all of saidsuperheating-coils are connected at their discharge ends, and a burnerarranged Within the combustion-chamber in proximity to such groups andcoils, substantially as set forth.

` 12. The combination in a steam-generator, of an outer casing the topportion of which communicates with an uptake and the lower portion ofwhich forms a combustion-chamber, a shell arranged within the upperportion of said casing, a plurality of plugs arranged in the crown-sheetof the shell, each of the plugs having 4a plurality of generator-tubestherein, each of said generator-tubes having a looped portion `extendinginto the combustion-chamber and having ends of unequal length,projecting within the shell, the shorter ends terminating below thewater-line and the longer ends terminating above the waterline, aplurality of superheating-coils each arranged about a group ofgenerator-tubes on a y plug, each of said superheating-coils beingconnected to the steam-space 1n the shell, and a main steam-supply pipewith which all of said superheating-coils are connected at theirdischarge ends, substantially as set forth.

Signed in the borough of Manhattan, in the county of New York, city ofNew York, and State of New York, this 16th day of July, A. D. 1900.

HERBERT E. RIDER.

IOO

